Let's Talk About... How to Start Making Your Film: What it Really Takes, Plus a Holiday Shopping Guide (It's good, promise)
And: The first-ever Indie Awards. My speech is a response to what we know is coming in 2025. Plus check out film "Mr. Santa: A Christmas Extravaganza". And a message if you didn't get into Sundance.
This week’s newsletter is in response to an unusual question I was recently asked by another filmmaker, but it also goes out at a time when a few of you might be licking your wounds regarding this week’s announcement for the 2025 Sundance lineup. I’m reposting an Instagram video from one of my favorite filmmakers, Mark Duplass, who offers some sage words of advice for those of you who find yourself in this situation:
This message was definitely meant for me two years ago, when our rough cut of DARUMA didn’t make it into Sundance. I was devastated when I got that rejection email. I literally read the email on my phone a few days before Thanksgiving and sat down on our kitchen floor. I remember looking at my husband’s anxious face and saying, “That’s it. We’re done.”
I thought we’d done everything right but we still didn’t make it in and I really didn’t know what to do afterward because I’d pinned my hopes and success on that ONE festival. And I’ve come to understand that’s the fallacy most filmmakers have when making their films and it’s an area where I definitely learned my lesson.
But like everything, you keep going. You have to. And two years later… I’m giving a speech for the same film and accepting an award at Slamdance’s inaugural Indie Awards:
My speech was a call to action for independent filmmakers in the narrative and documentary spaces. If we think things are bad now, just wait till next year. Things are not going to get any easier but we have to look to the things we can control, not the things we can’t.
It’s Very Scary
That’s LITERALLY the leading line of this article in Indie Wire:
I love
’s work and I love even more that for 20 so years, he’s been covering the shifting landscape of independent film and did everyone a solid and linked to all of his old articles in his most recent substack. (Thank you! This is highly worth a read!)I’ve always said that Los Angeles is a city that constantly rebuilds upon itself. If you don’t visit a particular area in the city for a year or more, you’ll be stunned when you go back because it’s completely remade itself.
And I’m learning that the same is true for independent film. Check out some of Anthony’s past articles and you’ll start to see a pattern in the industry.
I don’t know how things are going to shake out but I do know that those who can adapt and be nimble and evolve will be the ones who survive. Entrepreneurs if you will.
A Holiday Shopping Guide: Support the Brands that Supported DARUMA & Disability Representation
As a thank you to all of the brands who have supported the film along its path, I’m sharing links to their products and websites in an effort to support the businesses that supported us.
And for the time being, I have to plug my film which is now out on DVD, and is the perfect stocking stuffer for the film buff in your life. Get it here and shop the guide below.
Check out Christmas film "Mr. Santa: A Christmas Extravaganza" now on Vimeo
As a school’s annual Christmas show approaches, three music-loving kids find themselves clashing with the popular crowd. With the show’s performance now in jeopardy, Santa Claus suddenly arrives as a substitute teacher. With his holiday spirit, can he help the kids overcome their differences and ensure the show -- and Christmas -- is saved?
Watch the trailer and rent the movie here.
As always if you have an indie film you’d like me to promote, click here to submit your materials. I do not promote crowdfunding campaigns but I also never charge to plug your film! This support matters and I hope you’ll spread the love around.
Let’s Talk About… How to Start Making Your Film: What it Really Takes (and What it Takes Out of You)
Now let’s get into the meat of this week’s paid post. How to start making your film. I get asked this question A LOT by new filmmakers and I’m going to offer a lot of the same advice that I give folks who do a one on one with me in this post.
The way you start making your film is—